Heart Disease: the number one killer of men and women in the U.S.A.

Last night, when President Obama addressed our nation, he mentioned that health care reform would be fully addressed in 2009, and that a cure for cancer would be found in his lifetime. He also, and most importantly in my opinion, hightlighted the PREVENTION of cancer. Cancer rates could increase by 50 % to 15 million by 2020, according to the World Health Organization. The 'World Cancer Report' also suggests that healthy lifestyles and government initiatives could prevent as many as one third of cancers worldwide.

A healthy diet and frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables is identified as one of three prime areas, (along with reducing tobacco consumption and early detection through screening) where action is needed to cut the growing cancer rates.

However, it is heart disease that is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. This doesn't mean that you have to accept heart disease or cancer as your fate. Although you lack the power to change some risk factors — such as family history or age — just as steps can be taken to prevent one third of all cancers - there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can take.

Make a change in your daily life and take steps to avoid heart disease — don't smoke, get regular exercise and eat healthy foods. Avoid heart problems in the future by adopting a healthy lifestyle today.

Visit Go Red For Women for more information on heart disease and prevention.